Books, books, books, and more books...

Visit  http://www.reading.org/choices/ for great reading suggestions for your child.  The children's choice book list with titles and short annotations will help children find books they will enjoy.  You can print out a copy and take it to the library with you!

Book titles and descriptions have been selected from the Children's Choice Booklist.
 

Beginning Readers, ages 5-6:

• A Cat and a Dog, by Clair Masurel.   Illustrator Bob Kolar.

  • Cat and Dog fight all the time, until one day when they need each other very badly. The bright colors and simple text make this story one that young children will ask for again and again.

• Clara Caterpillar, by Pamela Duncan Edwards.   Illustrator Henry Cole.

  • This story provides information about caterpillars with a surprisingly sweet story. Children will enjoy finding all the words that start with "c" as they learn about caterpillars and friendship.

• The Dirty Little Boy, by Margaret Wise Brown.  Illustrator Steven Selerno.

  • A little boy tries to bathe like the animals do-in dirt-and becomes dirtier than when he started.

• Do You Have My Quack?, by Keith Faulkner.  Illustrator Rob Hefferman.

  • Very young readers will enjoy interacting with the text through the animal sounds shown on pull tabs. The simple storyline encourages participation and retelling.

• Farm Flu, by Theresa Bateman.  Illustrator Nadine Bernard Westcott.

  • A young boy copes admirably with an outbreak of flu on the farm by ding what "mom would do if it were me who had the flu."  Chickens, pigs, turkeys, and sheep get cured, and then minister to their caretaker.

• Good Thing Your Not an Octopus!, by Julie Marks.  Illustrator Maggie Smith.

  • This recurring pattern and humorous illustrations help a little boy see it's a good thing he's not …a bird who has to eat worms, a shark who has 200 teeth to brush, or even an octopus trying to get dressed.

Young Readers, ages 6-8:

• Baloney (Henry P.), by Jon Scieszka.  Illustrator Lane Smith.

  • When Henry P. Baloney is late for class again, he tells Mrs. Bugscuffle his excuse, which turns out to be quite a tall tale. The story is full of adventure, imagination, and unusual vocabulary.

• Beware of the Storybook Wolves, by Allison Julian.  Illustrated by the author.

  • Herb is afraid of his evening read aloud books. The wolves from "Little Red Riding Hood" and the "Three Little Pig’s" visit him when his mother is away. The story becomes mixed up with Cinderella and her fairy god-mother makes an appearance.

• Brave As A Bunny Can Be, by Alison Julian.

  • Cooper overhears a remark that sends him off on his to learn to be brave. He does well until he meets a fox.  Cooper’s dealing with the fox proves that he truly is "brave as a bunny can be."

• Franklin and Harriet, by Paulette Bourgeois.  Illustrator Brenda Clark.

  • Franklin usually enjoys being Harriet's big brother, but when she insists on taking Sam, Franklin’s toy dog, he begins to rethink the whole situation. Young readers will enjoy Franklin's realistic solution to this common problem.

• The Great Gracie Chase; Stop That Dog!,  by Cynthia Rylant.  Illustrator Mark Teague.  

  • Gracie liked her quiet house. All was will until the painters came. These noisy men put Gracie outside, where she led everyone on a rollicking chase through town. Children will root for Gracie as she outwits everyone and returns home safely.

• Math Man, by Teri Daniels. Illustrator Timothy Bush.

  • A grocery store crisis calls for a mathematical solution that only one person can provide. Readers will find math problems interspersed with a fast-paced story and intricate illustrations.
     

Intermediate Readers, ages 8-10:

• Custodian from the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler.  Illustrator Jared Lee.

  • This custodian has a fire breathing dragon in his dark cavern. He is mechanically challenged and is never seen by the students in the school. This book will entice children's imaginations to visualize this wacky school.

• Davy Crockett Saves The World, by Rosalyn Schanzer.

  • The President of the United States needs Davy Crockett to save the world from Halley's Comet. This story flew off the shelves because of the vibrant illustrations and the laughter on every page.

• The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, by Barbara Kerley.  Illustrator, Brian Selznick.

  • Dinosaur lovers of all ages will be entranced by the story of Waterhouse Hawkins, who built the first life-sized models of dinosaurs, what really attracts children to this book are the large pages and exceptional illustrations of the dinosaurs .

• Experiments in Science: How Does It Work?, by David Glover.

  • The book is designed for students to complete easy to do experiments under the direction of an adult. Scientific concepts are presented along with brief explanations under sections called "Science Explained."  Photos of real life experiments accompany each experiment.

• Monsters Inc.: The Essential Guide.  Illustrated with pictures.

  • This book is full of bright photos and plenty of white space. Kids who have seen the movie will enjoy reading about the characters.
     

Advanced Readers, ages 10-13:

• Alice Alone, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

  • What will Alice do when her world turns upside down? Alice learns that there are more important life choices than boyfriends, dances, and makeup. She learns how to build deep friendships and to trust.

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Special Edition, by Mary Packard.  Illustrator Leanne Franson.

  • Truth is stranger than fiction. Robert Ripley convinces us of this as he recount stories of believable and unbelievable events. Tales are divided by subject headings such a "Out of the Odd-inary," "No Way," and "Puzzling but True."